He was instrumental in envisioning military expansion to the Makran coast and had even proposed projecting strategic interest toward the South Pole—a move that, while symbolic, demonstrated his futuristic and outward-looking defense vision.
Involvement in Regional Conflicts and Sanctions
Bagheri’s central role in Iran’s military interventions and support for regional proxies made him a target of international sanctions:
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United States: In November 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Bagheri for his role in suppressing dissent and supporting regional militias aligned with Tehran’s interests.
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Canada: On 11 Mehr 1401 (October 2022), Canada imposed sanctions on Bagheri for alleged human rights violations in Iran.
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European Union: The EU sanctioned him in Mehr 1401 for his involvement in supplying drones to Russia during the conflict in Ukraine.
These sanctions underscored the international community’s concern over Iran’s expanding military footprint under Bagheri’s leadership, particularly through asymmetric tools like drones, cyberwarfare, and proxy militias.